JANUARY 8, 1772.
1772年1月8日。

What beings are men, whose whole thoughts are occupied with form and ceremony, who for years together devote their mental and physical exertions to the task of advancing themselves but one step, and endeavouring to occupy a higher place at the table.
那些整日只忙于形式和仪式的人究竟是什么样的生物呢？他们多年来将心力与身力都用于推动自己向前迈进一步，努力在餐桌上占据更高的位置。 —

Not that such persons would otherwise want employment:
并不是说这些人无事可做：相反， —

on the contrary, they give themselves much trouble by neglecting important business for such petty trifles.
他们为了这些琐碎的小事而忽略了重要的工作，给自己带来了很多麻烦。 —

Last week a question of precedence arose at a sledging-party, and all our amusement was spoiled.
上周在一次乘雪橇的聚会上出现了一个关于地位排列的问题，所有的娱乐都被搅乱了。

The silly creatures cannot see that it is not place which constitutes real greatness, since the man who occupies the first place but seldom plays the principal part.
这些愚蠢的人无法看到，真正的伟大并不是由地位决定的，因为处于第一位的人很少能发挥主要作用。 —

How many kings are governed by their ministers – how many ministers by their secretaries?
有多少国王被他们的部长所操纵，多少部长又被他们的秘书所操纵？ —

Who, in such cases, is really the chief?
在这种情况下，谁才是真正的首领？ —

He, as it seems to me, who can see through the others, and possesses strength or skill enough to make their power or passions subservient to the execution of his own designs.
依我看来，他是那个能够看透其他人，并且拥有足够的力量或技巧，使他们的力量或激情为了实现自己的计划而屈服的人。

JANUARY 20.
1月20日。

I must write to you from this place, my dear Charlotte, from a small room in a country inn, where I have taken shelter from a severe storm.
亲爱的夏洛特，我必须从这个地方给你写信，我躲避了一场严重的暴风雨来到了一个乡村小旅馆的小房间里。 —

During my whole residence in that wretched place D–, where I lived amongst strangers, – strangers, indeed, to this heart, – I never at any time felt the smallest inclination to correspond with you;
在我在那个可怜的地方D――，我住在陌生人中间，确实是对这颗心陌生的陌生人，我从来没有任何时候想要与你通信； —

but in this cottage, in this retirement, in this solitude, with the snow and hail beating against my lattice-pane, you are my first thought.
但是在这个小屋里，在这个隐居的地方，在这个孤独中，当雪花和冰雹击打着我的窗格时，你是我第一个想到的人。 —

The instant I entered, your figure rose up before me, and the remembrance!
一踏进来，你的身影在我面前浮现，那个回忆！ —

O my Charlotte, the sacred, tender remembrance! Gracious Heaven!
哦，夏洛特，那个神圣而温柔的回忆！天地啊！ —

restore to me the happy moment of our first acquaintance.
请告诉我我们初次相遇的快乐时刻。

Could you but see me, my dear Charlotte, in the whirl of dissipation, – how my senses are dried up, but my heart is at no time full.
如果你能看到我，亲爱的夏洛特，我正陷入纷扰之中，我的感官失去了灵敏，但我的心从未饱满过。 —

I enjoy no single moment of happiness:
我无法享受任何一刻的幸福： —

all is vain – nothing touches me. I stand, as it were, before the raree-show:
一切都是虚幻的——没有任何事能触动我。我仿佛站在其中一个闹景前： —

I see the little puppets move, and I ask whether it is not an optical illusion.
我看着小木偶们动起来，我开始质疑这是否只是一种错觉。 —

I am amused with these puppets, or, rather, I am myself one of them:
我被这些木偶逗乐了，或者说，我自己也成了其中之一： —

but, when I sometimes grasp my neighbour’s hand, I feel that it is not natural;
但当我有时握住邻人的手时，我感到这并不自然； —

and I withdraw mine with a shudder.
我害怕地抽回了手。 —

In the evening I say I will enjoy the next morning’s sunrise, and yet I remain in bed:
晚上我说我要欣赏第二天早晨的日出，然而我却还是躺在床上： —

in the day I promise to ramble by moonlight;
白天我发誓要在月光下漫步， —

and I, nevertheless, remain at home.
然而我仍然待在家里。 —

I know not why I rise, nor why I go to sleep.
我不知道为什么起床，也不知道为什么睡觉。

The leaven which animated my existence is gone:
曾经使我活力四溢的激情已经消失： —

the charm which cheered me in the gloom of night, and aroused me from my morning slumbers, is for ever fled.
曾经在黑夜的阴影中给我欢乐又唤醒我清晨的魅力永远消失了。

I have found but one being here to interest me, a Miss B–. She resembles you, my dear Charlotte, if any one can possibly resemble you. “Ah!” you will say, “he has learned how to pay fine compliments.” And this is partly true.
我在这里只找到了一个让我感兴趣的人，一个叫B的小姐。她和你很像，亲爱的夏洛特，如果有人可能像你的话。“啊！”你会说，“他学会了如何说出儒雅的恭维话。”这在一定程度上是对的。 —

I have been very agreeable lately, as it was not in my power to be otherwise.
最近我一直很愉快，因为我无法做到其他。而且， —

I have, moreover, a deal of wit:
我聪明过人： —

and the ladies say that no one understands flattery better, or falsehoods you will add;
女士们说我最懂得奉承，你会添加谎言； —

since the one accomplishment invariably accompanies the other.
因为这两种技能总是伴随着彼此。 —

But I must tell you of Miss B–. She has abundance of soul, which flashes from her deep blue eyes.
但我必须告诉你关于B小姐。她拥有丰富的灵魂，从她深蓝的眼睛中闪烁出来。 —

Her rank is a torment to her, and satisfies no one desire of her heart.
她的地位对她来说是一种折磨，不能满足她内心的任何愿望。 —

She would gladly retire from this whirl of fashion, and we often picture to ourselves a life of undisturbed happiness in distant scenes of rural retirement:
她很愿意摆脱这个时尚的漩涡，我们常常想象自己在遥远的乡村退隐中享受无忧的幸福生活： —

and then we speak of you, my dear Charlotte;
然后我们会谈论你，我亲爱的夏洛特； —

for she knows you, and renders homage to your merits;
因为她认识你，对你的优点表示敬意。 —

but her homage is not exacted, but voluntary, she loves you, and delights to hear you made the subject of conversation.
但是她的崇敬不是强求的，而是自愿的，她爱你，喜欢听到你成为谈话的主题。

Oh, that I were sitting at your feet in your favourite little room, with the dear children playing around us!
哦，我多么希望坐在你喜爱的小房间里，与可爱的孩子们一起玩耍！ —

If they became troublesome to you, I would tell them some appalling goblin story;
如果他们给你添麻烦，我会给他们讲一些骇人的妖怪故事； —

and they would crowd round me with silent attention.
他们会围着我安静地听。 —

The sun is setting in glory;
太阳正在荣耀中落山； —

his last rays are shining on the snow, which covers the face of the country:
他最后的光芒照在覆盖着整个乡村的雪上。 —

the storm is over, and I must return to my dungeon.
暴风雨过去了，我必须回到我的牢房。再见！ —

Adieu!– Is Albert with you?
阿尔伯特和你在一起吗？ —

and what is he to you? God forgive the question.
他对你意味着什么？上帝请原谅我的问题。

FEBRUARY 8.
2月8号。

For a week past we have had the most wretched weather:
过去一周我们一直有最糟糕的天气：但对我来说， —

but this to me is a blessing;
这是一种祝福。 —

for, during my residence here, not a single fine day has beamed from the heavens, but has been lost to me by the intrusion of somebody.
因为在我住在这里的期间，从天上射下的每一天晴朗的日子都因为有人的干扰而与我失之交臂。 —

During the severity of rain, sleet, frost, and storm, I congratulate myself that it cannot be worse indoors than abroad, nor worse abroad than it is within doors;
在雨、雪、霜、风暴的严重时刻，我庆幸它在室内不会更糟，也不会比室外更糟； —

and so I become reconciled.
因此我和它们和解了。 —

When the sun rises bright in the morning, and promises a glorious day, I never omit to exclaim, “There, now, they have another blessing from Heaven, which they will be sure to destroy:
当阳光在早晨升起，预示着美好的一天，我从不忘记呼喊：“看，他们又得到了天上的另一个祝福，他们肯定会毁灭它： —

they spoil everything, – health, fame, happiness, amusement;
他们糟蹋一切，健康、名誉、幸福、娱乐； —

and they do this generally through folly, ignorance, or imbecility, and always, according to their own account, with the best intentions!” I could often beseech them, on my bended knees, to be less resolved upon their own destruction.
而他们这样做通常是出于愚蠢、无知或愚钝，而且据他们自己说，都是出于最好的意图！”我经常恳求他们，跪地请求他们少一点决心地走向自己的毁灭。

FEBRUARY 17.
2月17日。

I fear that my ambassador and I shall not continue much longer together.
恐怕我和我的大使不会再长时间共事了。 —

He is really growing past endurance.
他真的变得无法忍受。 —

He transacts his business in so ridiculous a manner, that I am often compelled to contradict him, and do things my own way;
他以如此荒谬的方式办事，以至于我经常不得不反驳他，按照自己的方式去做事； —

and then, of course, he thinks them very ill done.
然后，当然，他认为它们做得很不好。 —

He complained of me lately on this account at court;
他最近在法庭上因此抱怨过我； —

and the minister gave me a reprimand, – a gentle one it is true, but still a reprimand.
而且部长也向我斥责过，虽然是温和的，但还是斥责； —

In consequence of this, I was about to tender my resignation, when I received a letter, to which I submitted with great respect, on account of the high, noble, and generous spirit which dictated it.
因此，我正打算呈上辞呈，但接到一封信后，基于这封信表达的高尚、慷慨和宽宏的精神，我非常尊重地接受了它； —

He endeavoured to soothe my excessive sensibility, paid a tribute to my extreme ideas of duty, of good example, and of perseverance in business, as the fruit of my youthful ardour, an impulse which he did not seek to destroy, but only to moderate, that it might have proper play and be productive of good.
他试图安抚我的过分敏感，对我极端的职责感、良好榜样和工作坚持表示赞许，认为这是我年轻热情的结果，是一种他不寻求摧毁，而是希望适度调整，以发挥应有的作用并产生良好结果的冲动； —

So now I am at rest for another week, and no longer at variance with myself.
所以现在我又安心了一个星期，不再和自己争执； —

Content and peace of mind are valuable things: I could wish, my dear friend, that these precious jewels were less transitory.
满足和宁静是宝贵的东西：我希望，我亲爱的朋友，这些珍贵的宝石能够更加持久；

FEBRUARY 20.
2月20日。

God bless you, my dear friends, and may he grant you that happiness which he denies to me!
上帝保佑你们，亲爱的朋友们，愿他赐予你们他对我所拒绝的幸福！

I thank you, Albert, for having deceived me.
阿尔伯特，感谢你欺骗了我。 —

I waited for the news that your wedding-day was fixed;
我等待着你的结婚消息； —

and I intended on that day, with solemnity, to take down Charlotte’s profile from the wall, and to bury it with some other papers I possess.
在那天，我打算庄严地将夏洛特的照片从墙上取下，并与我拥有的其他文件一同埋葬。 —

You are now united, and her picture still remains here.
你们现在联合在一起，她的照片仍然在这里。好吧， —

Well, let it remain! Why should it not?
就让它留下吧！为什么不呢？ —

I know that I am still one of your society, that I still occupy a place uninjured in Charlotte’s heart, that I hold the second place therein;
我知道我仍然是你们的一份子，在夏洛特的心中仍然有一个未受伤的位置上，我保持着第二位； —

and I intend to keep it. Oh, I should become mad if she could forget!
我打算守住这个位置。哦，如果她忘记了，我会发疯的！阿尔伯特， —

Albert, that thought is hell!
那样的想法就是地狱！ —

Farewell, Albert farewell, angel of heaven farewell, Charlotte!
再见，阿尔伯特，再见，天使般的夏洛特！再见！

MARCH 15.
三月十五日。

I have just had a sad adventure, which will drive me away from here. I lose all patience!
我刚经历了一次悲伤的冒险，这将让我离开这里。我对一切都失去了耐心！ —

– Death! – It is not to be remedied;
– 死亡！ – 这是无法弥补的； —

and you alone are to blame, for you urged and impelled me to fill a post for which I was by no means suited.
这完全是你的错，因为你敦促我去从事一个我完全不适合的职位。 —

I have now reason to be satisfied, and so have you! But, that you may not again attribute this fatality to my impetuous temper, I send you, my dear sir, a plain and simple narration of the affair, as a mere chronicler of facts would describe it.
现在我有理由满意了，你也一样！但是，为了不再让你把这个不幸归咎于我的冲动脾气，我给你，亲爱的先生，发送了一个简单明了的描述这件事的故事，就像一个事实的记录者会描述一样。

The Count of O– likes and distinguishes me.
O伯爵喜欢我，并对我有特别优待， —

It is well known, and I have mentioned this to you a hundred times.
这是众所周知的，我已经向你提起过一百次。 —

Yesterday I dined with him.
昨天我和他一起吃了饭。 —

It is the day on which the nobility are accustomed to assemble at his house in the evening.
这一天是贵族们习惯上在晚上聚集在他家的日子。 —

I never once thought of the assembly, nor that we subalterns did not belong to such society.
我从来没有想过参加这个聚会，也没想过我们下级官员不属于这样的团体。好吧， —

Well, I dined with the count;
我和伯爵共进晚餐； —

and, after dinner, we adjourned to the large hall.
晚饭过后，我们转移到了大厅。 —

We walked up and down together:
我们一起走来走去：我和他谈话， —

and I conversed with him, and with Colonel B–, who joined us;
还有加入我们的B上校；（原文中没有标点符号1） —

and in this manner the hour for the assembly approached.
就这样，集会的时间快到了。天知道， —

God knows, I was thinking of nothing, when who should enter but the honourable Lady accompanied by her noble husband and their silly, scheming daughter, with her small waist and flat neck;
我当时什么也没想，谁知道会进来的却是那位尊贵的女士和她高贵的丈夫，还有他们那个愚蠢阴谋的女儿，她那纤细的腰身和平坦的脖颈； —

and, with disdainful looks and a haughty air they passed me by.
并且以傲慢的眼神和傲慢的态度从我身边走过。 —

As I heartily detest the whole race, I determined upon going away;
由于我由衷地憎恶整个家族，我决定离开； —

and only waited till the count had disengaged himself from their impertinent prattle, to take leave, when the agreeable Miss B– came in.
只等待元帅与他们无关紧要的闲聊结束后，我才准备告辞，这时可爱的B小姐进来了。 —

As I never meet her without experiencing a heartfelt pleasure, I stayed and talked to her, leaning over the back of her chair, and did not perceive, till after some time, that she seemed a little confused, and ceased to answer me with her usual ease of manner.
每次见到她，我都会感到由衷的愉悦，我停下来和她聊天，靠在她椅子的背上，直到过了一段时间，才注意到她似乎有些困惑，不再像往常一样轻松地回答我。 —

I was struck with it. “Heavens!” I said to myself, “can she, too, be like the rest?” I felt annoyed, and was about to withdraw;
我被这一幕吓了一跳。我自言自语道：”天哪！她也会像其他人一样吗？”我感到生气，本想离开； —

but I remained, notwithstanding, forming excuses for her conduct, fancying she did not mean it, and still hoping to receive some friendly recognition.
但我还是留了下来，不理会她的行为，想象她并不是故意的，仍然希望能得到一些友善的认可。 —

The rest of the company now arrived.
其他人都到齐了。 —

There was the Baron F –, in an entire suit that dated from the coronation of Francis I.;
有男爵F——，穿着一套完整的从弗朗西斯一世加冕时期的衣服；还有N—大法官， —

the Chancellor N–, with his deaf wife;
和他那失聪的妻子； —

the shabbily-dressed I–, whose old-fashioned coat bore evidence of modern repairs:
还有衣衫褴褛的I—，他那老式的外套上还有现代修补的痕迹： —

this crowned the whole.
这就是全体成员了。 —

I conversed with some of my acquaintances, but they answered me laconically.
我和一些熟人交谈，他们给我的回答简短而冷淡。 —

I was engaged in observing Miss B–, and did not notice that the women were whispering at the end of the room, that the murmur extended by degrees to the men, that Madame S– addressed the count with much warmth (this was all related to me subsequently by Miss B–);
我正为观察B小姐而忙碌，并没有注意到女人们在房间的另一头窃窃私语，这种低语逐渐传到了男人们那里，后来S夫人热情地对伯爵说话（这一切后来都由B小姐告诉我）。 —

till at length the count came up to me, and took me to the window.
直到最后，计算机走过来，把我带到窗前。” —

“You know our ridiculous customs,” he said.
你知道我们荒谬的习俗。” 他说。 —

“I perceive the company is rather displeased at your being here.
“我看到大家对你在这里感到不满意。 —

I would not on any account–” “I beg your excellency’s pardon!” I exclaimed.
我绝对不会–” “非常抱歉，阁下！”我喊道。 —

“I ought to have thought of this before, but I know you will forgive this little inattention.
“我本该事先考虑到这一点，但我知道你会原谅这个小小的疏忽。 —

I was going,” I added, “some time ago, but my evil genius detained me.” And I smiled and bowed, to take my leave.
我过了一会儿打算离开，但我邪恶的天使阻拦了我。” 我微笑着鞠了一躬，准备告别。 —

He shook me by the hand, in a manner which expressed everything.
他用一种表达一切的方式握了握我的手。 —

I hastened at once from the illustrious assembly, sprang into a carriage, and drove to M–. I contemplated the setting sun from the top of the hill, and read that beautiful passage in Homer, where Ulysses is entertained by the hospitable herdsmen.
我立刻匆忙离开了那个崇高的聚会，跳上马车，驶向M。我站在山顶上欣赏着夕阳，念着荷马的美丽段落，其中乌利西斯受到了好客牧羊人的款待。 —

This was indeed delightful.
这确实令人愉快。 —

I returned home to supper in the evening.
晚上我回家吃晚餐。 —

But few persons were assembled in the room.
房间里只有几个人。 —

They had turned up a corner of the table-cloth, and were playing at dice.
他们把桌布的一角翻了过来，正在玩骰子。 —

The good-natured A– came in.
友好的A进来了。 —

He laid down his hat when he saw me, approached me, and said in a low tone, “You have met with a disagreeable adventure.” “I!” I exclaimed.
当他看到我时，他放下帽子，走近我，低声说：“你遇到了一个不愉快的事故。”“我！”我惊呼道。 —

“The count obliged you to withdraw from the assembly!” “Deuce take the assembly!” said I. “I was very glad to be gone.” “I am delighted,” he added, “that you take it so lightly.
“伯爵逼你退出了集会！” “见鬼，这个集会！” 我说。 “我非常高兴能离开。” “我很高兴，”他补充道，”你对此如此淡然。 —

I am only sorry that it is already so much spoken of.” The circumstance then began to pain me.
我只是遗憾它已经被人们如此多地谈论了。” 这个情况开始让我感到痛苦。 —

I fancied that every one who sat down, and even looked at me, was thinking of this incident;
我以为每一个坐下来，甚至看着我的人都在想着这个事件； —

and my heart became embittered.
我的心变得愤怒起来。

And now I could plunge a dagger into my bosom, when I hear myself everywhere pitied, and observe the triumph of my enemies, who say that this is always the case with vain persons, whose heads are turned with conceit, who affect to despise forms and such petty, idle nonsense.
现在，当我听到到处都在同情我时，我真想把一把匕首插入我胸中，我注意到我的敌人取得了胜利，他们说这总是自负的人的情况，他们的头脑被自己的傲慢转移了，他们装出鄙视形式和这些琐碎的、无聊的废话。

Say what you will of fortitude, but show me the man who can patiently endure the laughter of fools, when they have obtained an advantage over him.
说到坚韧不屈，但给我看看哪个人能够耐心忍受愚人们嘲笑他们获得优势的时候。 —

‘Tis only when their nonsense is without foundation that one can suffer it without complaint.
只有当他们的胡言乱语毫无依据的时候，我们才能无怨无悔地忍受。

MARCH 16.
3月16日。

Everything conspires against me.
一切都与我作对。 —

I met Miss B– walking to-day.
今天我遇到了B小姐在走路。 —

I could not help joining her;
我不禁加入了她； —

and, when we were at a little distance from her companions, I expressed my sense of her altered manner toward me.
当我们离她的同伴们稍远时，我表达了对她对我态度的变化的感受。“哦， —

“O Werther!” she said, in a tone of emotion, “you, who know my heart, how could you so ill interpret my distress?
维特！”她情绪激动地说道，“你，了解我的心，为什么你会误解我的困扰？ —

What did I not suffer for you, from the moment you entered the room! I foresaw it all, a hundred times was I on the point of mentioning it to you.
当你进入房间的那一刻，我就预见到了一切！我已经一百次准备向你提起这件事了。 —

I knew that the S–s and T–s, with their husbands, would quit the room, rather than remain in your company.
我知道那些S太太和T太太会和她们的丈夫一起离开房间，而不是和你呆在一起。 —

I knew that the count would not break with them:
我知道伯爵不会与他们决裂， —

and now so much is said about it.” “How!” I exclaimed, and endeavoured to conceal my emotion;
现在关于这件事已经有那么多话了。”我惊呼道，努力掩饰我的情绪； —

for all that Adelin had mentioned to me yesterday recurred to me painfully at that moment.
因为阿德林昨天对我提到的所有事情在那一刻都重新痛苦地回到了我脑海。 —

“Oh, how much it has already cost me!” said this amiable girl, while her eyes filled with tears.
“哦，这已经花费了我多少！这位可爱的女孩说道，眼里充满了泪水。 —

I could scarcely contain myself, and was ready to throw myself at her feet.
我几乎无法控制自己，准备跪在她的脚前。 —

“Explain yourself!” I cried. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
“解释一下！”我大叫道。泪水顺着她的脸颊流下。 —

I became quite frantic. She wiped them away, without attempting to conceal them.
我变得疯狂起来。她擦掉了泪水，没有试图隐藏。 —

“You know my aunt,” she continued; “she was present:
“你认识我的阿姨，”她接着说，“她在场， —

and in what light does she consider the affair!
她是如何看待这件事的！” —

Last night, and this morning, Werther, I was compelled to listen to a lecture upon my, acquaintance with you.
昨晚和今天早上，维特，我被迫听取她对我和你的交往的演讲。 —

I have been obliged to hear you condemned and depreciated;
我被迫听到人们对你进行谴责和贬低； —

and I could not – I dared not – say much in your defence.”
而我不能-我敢不- 为你做太多辩护。

Every word she uttered was a dagger to my heart.
她说的每一个字都刺痛了我的心。 —

She did not feel what a mercy it would have been to conceal everything from me.
她没有意识到对我而言，隐瞒一切会是多么的仁慈。 —

She told me, in addition, all the impertinence that would be further circulated, and how the malicious would triumph;
除此之外，她还告诉我，那些恶言恶语会继续传播，那些恶意的人会为此而欢欣鼓舞； —

how they would rejoice over the punishment of my pride, over my humiliation for that want of esteem for others with which I had often been reproached.
他们会因为我自大而受罚，因为我常常被责备缺乏对他人的尊重而屈辱。威廉， —

To hear all this, Wilhelm, uttered by her in a voice of the most sincere sympathy, awakened all my passions;
听到她以最真诚的同情的声音说出所有这些，激发了我所有的激情； —

and I am still in a state of extreme excitement.
我目前仍处于极度兴奋的状态。 —

I wish I could find a man to jeer me about this event.
我希望能找到一个人嘲笑我这件事。 —

I would sacrifice him to my resentment.
我愿意为了我的愤怒而牺牲他。 —

The sight of his blood might possibly be a relief to my fury. A hundred times have I seized a dagger, to give ease to this oppressed heart.
看到他的鲜血也许可以缓解我内心的愤怒。我已经抓起匕首一百次，为这颗压抑的心提供宣泄的机会。 —

Naturalists tell of a noble race of horses that instinctively open a vein with their teeth, when heated and exhausted by a long course, in order to breathe more freely.
自然学家们讲述了一种高贵的马种，当他们因为长时间的奔跑而感到疲惫和过热时，会本能地用牙齿刺破自己的血管，以便更自由地呼吸。 —

I am often tempted to open a vein, to procure for myself everlasting liberty.
我常常感到诱惑，想刺破自己的血管，为自己争取永恒的自由。

MARCH 24.
3月24日。

I have tendered my resignation to the court.
我已经向法院递交了辞呈。 —

I hope it will be accepted, and you will forgive me for not having previously consulted you.
我希望它能被接受，也希望你能原谅我之前没有征求你的意见。 —

It is necessary I should leave this place.
我有必要离开这个地方。 —

I know all you will urge me to stay, and therefore I beg you will soften this news to my mother.
我知道你会劝我留下，因此我请求你把这个消息缓和地告诉我的母亲。 —

I am unable to do anything for myself: how, then, should I be competent to assist others?
我无法为自己做任何事情：那我怎么可能胜任地帮助他人呢？ —

It will afflict her that I should have interrupted that career which would have made me first a privy councillor, and then minister, and that I should look behind me, in place of advancing.
这将使她感到伤心，因为我中断了本来会使我成为一名内阁顾问，然后是部长的职业生涯，并且我回头看过去，而不是前进。 —

Argue as you will, combine all the reasons which should have induced me to remain, I am going: that is sufficient.
无论你怎样争辩，无论你如何结合应该让我留下的所有理由，我都要走：这已经足够了。 —

But, that you may not be ignorant of my destination, I may mention that the Prince of – is here.
但是为了让你了解我的目的地，我可以提到–王子就在这里。 —

He is much pleased with my company;
他对我的陪伴非常满意； —

and, having heard of my intention to resign, he has invited me to his country house, to pass the spring months with him.
并且，听说我打算辞职，他邀请我去他的乡间别墅，和他一起度过春天的几个月。 —

I shall be left completely my own master; and, as we agree on all subjects but one, I shall try my fortune, and accompany him.
我将完全成为自由主宰，而且，除了一个问题我们意见不合外，我打算冒险和他一同去。